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Adelaide gardens A planting guide
Healthy and attractive
urban landscapes
Contents
Using this planting guide
3
Discovering local native plants
4
How to use local native plants
5
Garden escapes
6
You can help!
7
Trees and tall shrubs
8
Medium shrubs
10
Groundcovers and herbs
14
Grasses
18
Sedges, rushes and strappy plants 20
Climbers
22
Garden designs
Natural cottage
24
Formal courtyard
26
Family
28
Contemporary 30
Growing and maintaining local native plants
32
Sourcing local native plants
34
Where to now?
35
Your notes
36
Useful resources
38
This guide provides simple
and inspiring garden advice
for people living in the city
of Adelaide, its northern
plains, foothills and
southern suburbs.
Water-wise, local native
plants are suggested as
attractive replacements
for introduced plants that
are harmful to our local
landscapes.
Adelaide gardens – a planting guide is part
of a series of gardening guides produced
by Natural Resources Adelaide and Mt Lofty
Ranges and funded through the NRM levy.
Using this
planting guide
Getting started
Our gardens are challenged with long, hot,
dry summers, drought, water restrictions,
and a changing climate.
However, there is good news! You can have
a garden that copes with our tough climate
without compromising on style by using
resilient local native plants.
This guide shows you how to utilise a fantastic
array of Adelaide’s local native plants to create
a stunning garden. Step by step, you will learn
what plant works best for a given area or
need, how to incorporate local native plants
in different landscaping styles, how best to
maintain your plants and where they can
be purchased.
When it comes time to buying plants, this
guide will provide a better understanding
of how and when to use local native
alternatives and the many benefits they
provide. When you read the section on garden
escapes and learn about the impacts invasive
plants have, you might even spot some in your
garden and decided to replace them with
recommendations in this guide.
Using local native plants in your garden is an
easy and rewarding way to help look after our
environment. We hope you enjoy discovering
urban Adelaide’s local native plants.
Happy gardening!
You will also learn about which plants to avoid
as they are known for becoming serious weeds
in Adelaide’s parks, creeklines and other
open spaces.
The other guides are:
• Coastal gardens – a planting guide
• Creating a wildlife friendly garden.
They are available from
www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/
adelaidemtloftyranges, natural resources
centres and various nursery outlets.
White Goodenia
Goodenia albiflora
3
Discovering local
native plants
How to use
local native plants
What is a local native plant?
Local native plants can be incorporated into
your garden in the same ways as exotic plants.
They are suited to all landscaping styles, from
formal courtyards to relaxed natural cottage
settings, to bold contemporary gardens or
playful family-orientated spaces.
Local native plants are species that naturally
occurred in your neighbourhood prior to
European settlement, and have evolved to suit
local conditions such as soil type, temperature
and water availability. They are also called
‘indigenous plants’.
Why use local native plants?
Local native plants are a great option for
residents of Adelaide as they have adapted
to survive harsh conditions such as prolonged
sun exposure, nutrient-deprived soils, and
limited water availability. This all makes them
the best plants for your neighbourhood and
our environment!
Local native plants have a wide
range of benefits.
They:
• require less effort to maintain
• require minimal watering =
conserves our water supplies
• require minimal fertilisers and pesticides
• provide habitat, food and shelter for
local fauna such as birds, butterflies
and small lizards
• save you money and time
• adapt to various landscaping styles
and produce striking results
• flower at different times of the year
so with good planning you can have
colour in your garden all year round.
As you will discover throughout this guide,
there is a local native plant for most garden
situations. Plants featured include groundcovers, low shrubs, structured sedges and
grasses, flowering creepers and trailers,
bird-attracting shrubs and screening trees.
This guide also shows you which local
plant to pick for a particular effect, and
makes recommendations for replacing plants
known to escape from gardens to become
invasive weeds.
Information on caring for your native plants
is provided on pages 32-33.
The guide also highlights a variety of local
native species which are suitable for pots,
such as the Yacca (Grass Tree) which can be
used to create a striking feature pot plant,
or pretty plants such as Native Pelargonium
and Native Bluebell that look great clustered
in groups in cottage style gardens.
To make it easy to choose which plants best
suit your yard, the ‘grow me instead’ sections
(pages 8-23) includes icons highlighting the
following attributes and uses:
Attracts native birds
Attracts butterflies and/or
native insects
Suitable for pots
Common Eutaxia
Eutaxia microphylla
5
Declared plants and Weeds of
National Significance (WoNS)
Garden
escapes
Are you harbouring known villains?
Weeds are plants growing where they aren’t
wanted, and they aren’t just sour sobs and
thistles! Some plants escape from gardens
and become serious environmental weeds
which pose a major threat to the health and
value of our natural environments.
Environmental weeds are trouble!
Plants that cause problems often originate
from regions with similar climates, such as
the Mediterranean and South Africa. Thriving
in similar conditions, they out-compete SA’s
local natives. They also don’t have the range
of pests and diseases here to naturally control
Landowners and land managers have a
legal responsibility to control declared plants
and WoNS. Weed species, including local
requirements for control, vary across the state.
For information on these types of plants
contact your regional natural resources centre
or take a look at the links on page 38.
To make it easier for you to see which weeds
are priorities for control, the ‘don’t plant me’
sections (pages 8-23) include icons showing
the following weed ratings:
Declared Plant in SA
Weed of National Significance
How do garden plants become
urban invaders?
You might not realise you’re harbouring plants
with the potential to become garden escapes,
or understand how they can ‘jump the fence’
to become problems. Garden plants can
escape into natural environments naturally,
accidentally or deliberately.
them. They:
They can spread by:
• can reduce habitat, shelter and
• seeds being transported by birds and
food for native fauna
other animals; wind and water (including
• can alter soil conditions
stormwater); humans (on clothing, shoes
• clog up waterways and affect water
quality entering Gulf St Vincent
• harbour pest animals such as foxes, feral
cats and rats which prey on native wildlife
• are costly to control and take resources
away from other important issues
• reduce the value and usability of our
open and public spaces.
etc.); and on machinery such as lawn mowers
• being dumped in garden waste (seeds or
plant cuttings can establish up to several
months later)
• being deliberately planted by people in
our natural environments
• growing through garden fences into
You can
help!
Have a good look through this guide to check
which common garden plants are nasties in your
local environment. You might like to remove any
you have and replace them with the indigenous
plants suggested. Take this guide with you
when making new plant purchases and don’t
buy plants which are known to be a problem.
Here are some other easy things you can do:
• dispose of your garden waste responsibly
• check with your local council before
you plant into parks, reserves and other
open spaces
• join a local volunteer group to learn more
about your environment and lend a hand
• call your local natural resources
centre (details on back cover); or visit
www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/
adelaidemtloftyranges for information
Be aware that different weeds need to be
on how to get involved
controlled by different methods: there are
• keep an eye out for emerging aquatic
weeds, such as Water Hyacinth
physical, biological and chemical methods for
controlling weeds. Use the links on page 38
(Eichhornia crassipes) and Salvinia
to find out more information on best practice
(Salvinia molesta) that may appear
methods for controlling weeds.
in local creeklines or ponds, and
immediately report any occurrences to
your local natural resources centre.
our parks and reserves.
7
Trees and tall shrubs
Don’t plant me
Grow me instead
Desert Ash
Drooping Sheoak
Fraxinus angustifolia
Allocasuarina verticillata
(Western Mediterranean and Portugal)
Flowers: winter
Reproduces: seed, vegetatively by root suckers
Tree to 8m, long weeping grey-green foliage.
Flowers in winter. Cone-like fruit. Responds to pruning.
Uses: windbreak, screening, hedges, or feature tree.
Non-local Wattles
Grey Box / Peppermint Box
Acacia saligna / A. cyclops / A. iteaphylla / A. longifolia
Eucalyptus microcarpa / E. odorata
(Australia)
Flowers: spring
Reproduces: seed, vegetatively by root suckers
Tree with single or multiple trunk to 20m. Coarse bark.
Flowers winter to spring. Uses: feature or shade tree.
Minimum 3.5m set back from property and sewage pipes.
Hawthorn or May / Azarola
Silver Banksia
Crataegus monogyna / C. sinaica
Banksia marginata
(Europe, south-western Asia and north Africa)
Flowers: spring
Reproduces: seed
Feature tree 3 to 5m. Leaves green on top, silver below. Yellow flowers
on cylindrical cone, spring to autumn. Responds to pruning; can prune
to single trunk. Interesting foliage and seed pods. Uses: feature plant,
streetscaping. Slow growing. If foliage yellows apply chelated iron.
Olive
Southern Cypress-pine
Olea europaea
Callitris gracilis
(Mediterranean)
Flowers: spring
Reproduces: seed (in fruit, autumn-winter)
Cylindrical-shaped tree to 5m. Green foliage, dark brown cone fruit.
Responds to pruning. Uses: screening, hedging, and to line driveways
and paths. Well-drained sandy and limestone soils. Can be used
instead of non-native conifers.
Swamp Oak
Sticky Hop-bush
Casuarina glauca
Dodonaea viscosa
(Eastern Australia)
Flowers: spring
Reproduces: seed, lateral root system forms vigorous suckers
Erect shrub to 3m. Bright green sticky leaves. Green flowers in winter,
red seed pods in spring. Responds to pruning, can ‘top’ once reaches
desired height. Uses: screen or hedge. Well-drained soils. Benefits
from additional water in summer.
Sweet Pittosporum
Sweet Bursaria or Christmas Bush
Pittosporum undulatum
Bursaria spinosa
(Eastern Australia)
Flowers: late winter and spring
Reproduces: seed, suckering
Erect, prickly shrub to 4m. Leaves green above, whitish beneath.
Fragrant creamy-white flowers, mid summer. Responds to pruning
and pollarding. Uses: informal screen and barrier. Grows well in a
variety of soil types except coastal sand.
9
Medium shrubs
Don’t plant me
Grow me instead
Boneseed
Common Eutaxia / Spreading Eutaxia
Chrysanthemoides monilifera ssp. monilifera
Eutaxia microphylla / E. diffusa
(South Africa)
Flowers: late autumn to winter
Reproduces: seed (fleshy fruit)
Low, dense shrub to 1m. Small green leaves. E. microphylla has yellow
to red pea flowers, winter. E. diffusa abundant bright yellow pea
flowers, winter and spring. Strong flowering shrub that adds texture
and colour. Lime sensitive, likes well-drained soils.
Brooms (Cape / Flax-leaved / English or Scotch)
Desert Senna
Genista monspessulana / G. linifolia / Cystisus scoparius
Senna artemisoides
(Europe)
Flowers: late winter to spring
Reproduces: seeds, germinates after fire, regrows from cuttings
Shrub to 3m. Abundant yellow flowers, winter to spring.
Long flat green pods age to dark brown. Creates great foliage
and flower contrast. Suitable for most soil types.
Coast Tea-tree
Erect Hakea
Leptospermum laevigatum
(East coast Australia and Tasmania)
Flowers: late winter to spring
Reproduces: seed (woody capsule)
Hakea carinata
Common Lantana
Myrtle Wattle
Lantana camara
Acacia myrtifolia
(Tropical America)
Flowers: most of the year
Reproduces: seed, vegetatively
Compact, bushy shrub to 2m. Bright yellow ball-shaped flowers,
winter to spring. Red branches add further colour and interest.
Grows in well-drained soils. Good habitat for birds.
Cotoneasters
Paper Flower
Cotoneaster spp.
Thomasia petalocalyx
(China)
Flowers: spring / summer
Reproduces: seed (in berries, autumn / winter)
Attractive shrub to 60cm tall and 60cm spread. Crinkly green leaves.
Small sprays of pink papery flowers, spring to summer. An eye-catching
plant providing long-lasting cut flowers.
Italian Buckthorn or Blowfly Bush
Prickly Tea-tree
Rhamnus alaternus
Leptospermum continentale
(Mediterranean)
Flowers: winter to spring
Reproduces: seed, vegetatively by root suckers
Bushy shrub to 4m. Small prickly green leaves. Magnificent white
flowers, spring. Hardy shrub suits hill face and plains.
Good plant for hedging and habitat.
Twiggy, open, intricate shrub to 2m. White flowers, spring.
Woody, beaked pods contain two large seeds. Uses: light screen,
wind-break. Well-drained soils. Provides good habitat for small birds,
food for Yellow-tail Black Cockatoos and nectar for butterflies.
11
Medium shrubs
Don’t plant me
Grow me instead
Myrtle-leaf Milkwort
Rock Correa / Native Fuchsia
Polygala myrtifolia
Correa glabra / C. reflexa
(South Africa)
Flowers: spring
Reproduces: seed
Dense shrubs to 1.2m high; 2m wide. Upright or spreading form.
Smooth, dark green foliage. C. glabra: green or red bell flowers, winter.
Lemon-scented leaves when crushed. C. reflexa: pink bell flowers, winter
– spring. Uses: low screen or hedge. Prune to shape. Well-drained soils.
Rosemary Grevillea
Round-leaf Wattle
Grevillea rosmarinifolia
Acacia acinacea
(New South Wales and Victoria)
Flowers: winter through to spring and occasionally at other times
Reproduces: seed
Shrub to 2m, weeping habit. Small rounded green ‘leaves’ (phyllodes).
Yellow wattle flowers May to September. Responds to light prune
post-flowering. Lives 8-10 years. Well-drained soils, tolerates shade.
Red Hot Poker / Prickly Pear or Wheel Cactus
Ruby Saltbush
Kniphofia uvaria / Opuntia spp.
Enchylaena tomentosa
(Tropical and sub-tropical dry regions)
Flowers: various
Reproduces: mostly vegetative growth, some set seed
Low shrub to 1m. Leaves small, blue-green, fleshy. Yellow to red
fleshy fruits throughout year. Great foliage and colour contrast.
Responds to pruning. Fruits attract wildlife. Most soils.
Sweet Briar / Dog Rose
Seaberry Saltbush
Rosa rubiginosa / R. canina
Rhagodia candolleana
(Europe and western Asia)
Flowers: late spring to summer
Reproduces: seed
Spreading shrub to several metres wide. Fleshy green leaves,
small clusters of white flowers. Globular fruit ripens to deep red,
summer to autumn. Uses: lush green informal hedge. Light,
regular pruning maintains shape. Lizards eat berries.
Diosma
Twiggy Bush-pea
Coleonema pulchellum
Pultenea largiflorens
(South Africa)
Flowers: late winter and early spring
Reproduces: seed
Erect shrub with twiggy branches to 3m. Masses of orange
and red pea flowers, spring. Grows in well-drained drier positions.
Topped Lavendar
Twiggy Daisy-bush
Lavandula stoechas
Olearia ramulosa
(Mediterranean)
Flowers: winter to spring
Reproduces: seed
Attractive shrub to 2m. Grey leaves, small yellow flowers in autumn.
Prune when flowers fade to encourage second flowering and thicken
growth. Uses: hedge, colour and texture contrast. Most soils.
Prune to retain shape.
13
Groundcovers and herbs
Don’t plant me
Grow me instead
African Daisy
Common Everlasting
Senecio pterophorus
Chrysocephalum apiculatum
(South Africa and Swaziland)
Flowers: late spring to autumn
Reproduces: seed
Herb to knee high. Silver-grey leaves, clusters of bright-yellow daisy
flowers, long lasting, spring to summer. Prune when flowers fade
to encourage second flowering and thicken growth.
Uses: plant on mass, great as cut or dried flowers. Well-drained soils.
Bulbil Watsonia
Creeping Boobialla
Watsonia meriana var. bulbillifera
Myoporum parvifolium
(South Africa)
Flowers: spring
Reproduces: seed, vegetative via bulbils
Ground runner, shin high to 5m across. Small green leaves.
Dainty white or pale purple flowers, spring to summer.
Minimal pruning. Good soil stabiliser. Uses: space filler, lawn
replacement (no foot traffic), trail down rock walls. Attracts lizards.
Cotton Bush
Lavender Grevillea
Gomphocarpus cancellatus
Grevillea lavendulacea
(South Africa)
Flowers: autumn to spring
Reproduces: seed
Variable shrub to 1m high. Grey-green foliage resembles lavender.
Pink to red flowers, winter to spring. Uses: small pretty shrub for
foreground plantings. Prefers well-drained soil, shade tolerant.
Teneriffe Daisy
Muntries
Argyranthemum frutescens ssp. foeniculaceum
Kunzea pomifera
(Canary Islands)
Flowers: spring
Reproduces: seed
Ground-hugging shrub extending over several metres. Thick bright
green leaves. Showy white fluffy flowers, spring to early summer.
Purple berries. Uses: ground cover or hanging baskets.
Fennel
Native Bluebell
Foeniculum vulgare
Wahlenbergia spp.
(Mediterranean)
Flowers: summer
Reproduces: seed
Delicate herb to 30cm. Pretty blue flowers, winter and spring.
Dies back over summer. Responds well to pruning. Plant on mass.
Freesia
Native Pelargonium
Freesia spp.
Pelargonium australe
(South Africa)
Flowers: spring
Reproduces: seed, corms and bulbils
Pretty herb to knee high. Large green velvety leaves.
Pale pink flowers with purple stripe, spring to summer.
Prune after flowering. Plant in small clusters.
15
Groundcovers and herbs
Don’t plant me
Grow me instead
Gazania
Native Pigface
Gazania spp.
Carpobrotus rossii
(South Africa)
Flowers: most of the year, mainly spring to autumn
Reproduces: seed, vegetatively
Attractive thick, fleshy groundcover. Green leaves triangular in
cross-section. Large bright pink flowers, spring. Good soil stabiliser,
can trail down walls or pots.
Gladioli
Pale Fanflower
Gladiolus spp.
Scaevola albida
(Africa and the Mediterranean)
Flowers: all year
Reproduces: seed, root fragments and cormels
Soft prostrate annual groundcover, to 40cm high.
White and purple fan flowers, summer. Tolerates most soils.
Hottentot Fig / Sea Fig / Iceplant
Running Postman
Carpobrotus edulis / C. aequilaterus / C. chilensis /
Mesembryanthemum crystallinum
Kennedia prostrata
(South Africa)
Flowers: late summer to winter
Reproduces: fleshy fruit in summer, vegetatively
Attractive groundcover to 2m. Leaves pale green. Eye-catching
scarlet pea-flowers, winter to summer. Uses: groundcover,
feature urn, trail down rockery. Tolerates most soils.
Pincushion
Sticky Goodenia
Scabiosa atropurpurea
Goodenia varia
(Southern Europe)
Flowers: spring to summer
Reproduces: seed
Ascending to prostrate shrub to 1m. Thick, toothed green leaves.
Yellow flowers, early spring to late autumn. Bright green foliage
provides lushness in gardens. Suitable for small gardens.
Sparaxis
Tom Thumb
Sparaxis spp.
Dichondra repens
(South Africa)
Flowers: spring
Reproduces: seed, corms and leaf bulbs
Small, prostrate perennial herb; creeping stems. Tiny yellow-green
flowers, summer. Fruit: hairy, two-lobed capsule. Uses: groundcover,
hanging baskets, between stepping stones, lawn substitute (does not
need mowing but can be). Moist position.
Succulents
White Goodenia
E.g. Aloe spp. / Agave spp. / Aeonium spp. / Sedum spp.
Goodenia albiflora
(Africa and the Mediterranean)
Flowers: various
Reproduces: most by vegetative growth, some set seed
Distinctive blue/green evergreen shrub to 0.5m. Masses of white
fan-shaped flowers most of the year. Interesting colour-contrasting
blue green foliage. Prefers well-drained soils.
17
Grasses
Don’t plant me
Grow me instead
African Feathergrass / African Lovegrass
Black-head Grass
Pennisetum macrorum / Eragrostis curvula
Enneapogon nigricans
(Southern Africa)
Flowers: spring to autumn
Reproduces: seed, vegetatively (rhizomes)
Small ornamental grass to 50cm. Small black flowers winter
to summer. Uses: foreground plantings, particularly path edges.
Couch Grass
Common Tussock-grass
Cynodon dactylon
Poa labillardieri
(Tropics world-wide)
Flowers: late spring to early summer
Reproduces: sets seed in summer, also spreads vegetatively
(including lawn clippings)
Long lived, tussock forming perennial grass with weeping habit.
Highly ornamental greyish-green or blue-green leaves.
Flowers spring to summer. Clusters or mass plantings.
Fountain Grass
Silky Blue-grass
Pennisetum setaceum
Dicanthium sericeum
(East Africa and Middle East)
Flowers: summer to autumn
Reproduces: seed
Delicate, ornamental native grass to 40cm high. Flat, bluish-green
leaves. Two or three upright bluish-green flower spikes, spring to
summer. Uses: mass plantings, informal edging. Heavier clay soils
or areas that capture a lot of moisture.
Giant Reed
Wallaby Grass
Arundo donax
Austrodanthonia spp.
(North Africa and Asia)
Flowers: late spring to early winter
Reproduces: seed, vegetatively (rhizomes)
Small to medium clumping grasses to 1m. Flower spring to summer.
Uses: mass planting, borders, grow between pavers.
Pampas Grass / Pink Pampas Grass
Kangaroo Grass
Cortaderia selloana / C. jubata
Themeda triandra
(South America)
Flowers: autumn
Reproduces: seeds are produced during winter and spring
Dense tussock perennial grass to 1.5m. Red-purple tinged leaves
and pink flowers, summer. Uses: substitute lawn (tolerates cutting
back twice a year), mass plantings. Well-drained soils.
Kikuyu
Pennisetum clandestinum
(East Asia)
Flowers: summer to autumn
Reproduces: vegetative reproduction (e.g. lawn clippings)
19
Sedges, rushes and strappy plants
Don’t plant me
Grow me instead
Wild Iris / African Iris
Flax-lilies
Dietes spp.
Dianella longifolia / D. revoluta / D. brevicaulis
(Southern Africa)
Flowers: spring to early summer
Reproduces: seed pods
Small clumping plants to knee high. Leaves strappy and stiff,
blue-green. Blue flowers on narrow stalks above or within
foliage line, spring. Uses: borders, large or small groupings, indoors.
Most soils and shade.
Agapanthus
Flat-sedge
Agapanthus spp.
Cyperus vaginatus
(South Africa)
Flowers: late spring and summer
Reproduces: seed and vegetatively
Tussock-forming perennial to 1.5m high. Flowers green and brown,
spring to autumn. Uses: mass planting, informal hedge,
around ponds. Well-drained soils. Additional water in summer.
Arum Lily
Pale Rush
Zantedeschia aethiopica
(South Africa)
Flowers: winter
Reproduces: seed
Juncus pallidus
Hardy rushes to 2m. Flowers in summer. Great border plants,
use in mass plantings. Grow in moist areas.
Yacca
Xanthorrhoea semiplana
Trunk to 3m high. Juveniles have no trunk. Dense crown of
grass-like leaves to 1.5m. Flowers creamy-white on cylindrical
spike to 3m long, spring. Uses: feature plant. Slow growing.
Potted plant benefits from fertiliser application (refer pages 32-33).
Knobby Club-rush
Ficinia nodosa (formerly Isolepis nodosa)
Versatile evergreen clumping plant to 1m high. Leaves dark-green,
cylindrical and up-right. Brown ball-shaped flower heads occur
all year. Uses: accent plant, group plantings, around ponds.
Tolerates salt spray and wet zones.
Mat-rushes
Lomandra densiflora / L. multiflora
Tussock rushes growing from central base to 50cm high.
Long, stiff grey-green leaves. Creamy yellow flowers in clusters
at base of leaves, spring. Uses: boundary and habitat plant.
Moist, well-drained soils. Additional water in summer.
21
Climbers
Don’t plant me
Grow me instead
Blue Periwinkle Creeper
Coastal Lignum
Vinca major
Muehlenbeckia gunnii
(Central and southern Europe and northern Africa)
Flowers: spring and summer
Reproduces: stem rooting, vegetatively
Robust perennial twining plant. Green, lance-shaped leaves.
Small pale yellow flowers most of the year. Prune as required.
Don’t plant under powerlines. Good habitat for birds to hide in.
Shade tolerant.
Blue-bell Creeper / Sollya
Climbing Saltbush
Billardiera heterophylla (formerly Sollya heterophylla)
Einadia nutans
(Western Australia)
Flowers: spring and summer
Reproduces: seed
Climber or groundcover. Herbaceous or woody stems spreading
to 1m diameter. Small pointed fleshy leaves. Tiny yellow flowers
and attractive bright red or yellow fruit, most of the year. Uses:
groundcover, creeper, hanging baskets. Moist, well-drained soil.
Bridal Creeper / Asparagus Fern / Bridal Veil
Native Lilac
Asparagus asparagoides / A. scandens / A. declinatus
Hardenbergia violacea
(South Africa)
Flowers: spring
Reproduces: red berries late spring, also spreading
underground root system (rhizomes)
Attractive climber or shrub with trailing and twining stems.
Dark green leaves, clumps of bright purple pea flowers, winter.
Uses: climber, small shrub, feature pot plant. Sheltered positions.
English Ivy / Cape Ivy
Old Man’s Beard
Hedera helix / Delairea odorata
Clematis decipiens (formerly C. microphylla)
(Europe)
Flowers: autumn
Reproduces: small, black berries during winter and
horizontal stems root at nodes when they contact the soil
Climber reaching several meters with support, or plant as
groundcover. Masses of pale green/white flowers, winter to early
spring. Female flowers turn to fluffy seeds, late spring.
Prune annually. Well-drained soils.
Blue / Purple Morning Glory
Sweet Apple-berry
Ipomoea indica / I. congesta
Billardiera cymosa
(Tropics world-wide)
Flowers: most of the year
Reproduces: seed, vegetatively
Climber or small shrub to shin high. Dark green leaves,
striking purple to blue flowers in spring. Red / purple berries,
summer.
Nasturtium
Tropaeolum majus
(Peru)
Flowers: summer and autumn
Reproduces: seed
23
Garden design
Natural cottage
These gardens are relaxed and flowing, and
are a wonderful place for local wildlife. To
achieve a natural cottage garden, mimic the
flow and mix of plant species in natural areas.
Allow plants to cascade over paths and lace
through one another.
Utilise weaving paths and rustic furniture. You
can add bird-baths, hollow logs, and nesting
boxes to attract and support local wildlife. A
natural cottage garden is easy to achieve with
local native plants as many species flower in
winter, and with some planning, you can
achieve a colourful garden year round.
The design below gives you some ideas on
how to create one of these gardens – you will
notice there is a diversity of local plant species
featured, with some repetitive plantings and
clustering of plants in a general flowing
arrangement. The mounded area and
depression add interest to the garden, with
stepping stones and a recycled railway sleeper
bridge adding rustic elements which entice
you through the garden. You can apply this
exact design to your yard or use some of the
elements to create a design of your own!
Trees and tall shrubs
Table and chairs
14mm Yankalilla gravel
Drooping Sheoak
Grey / Peppermint Box
Whitewash
sustainable pebble
Medium shrubs
Recycled railway
sleeper bridge
Twiggy Daisy-bush
Twiggy Bush-pea
Sticky Hop-bush
Common Eutaxia
Groundcovers and herbs
Salvaged slate
stepping stones
Low lying area 300mm
Mounded area 300mm
Creeping Boobialla
Native Pigface
Native Pelargonium
Grasses, sedges and rushes
Mulch
Pale Rush
Flat-sedge
Knobby Club-rush
Climbers
0
1
2
3
4m
Old Man’s Beard
25
Garden design
Formal courtyard
The formal style suits courtyards as the
emphasis is on structure and balance with a
simple and uncluttered feel. Formal courtyard
gardens emphasise symmetry and borders, and
use paver edging, gravel, or sustainable pebbles
to create and highlight landscaping features.
A number of local native plants can be grown
into clipped hedges or shapes to form the
basis of formal gardens.
The design below gives you some ideas on how
to create one of these gardens. You will notice
a small number of plant species are featured,
and are laid out in a repetitive and mirrored
manner to create symmetry and balance.
A green wall using native climber species
provides screening to a private seated area in the
rear of the courtyard. Species such as Correa,
Grevillea and Flax-lily can all be grown in pots
and look great set out in straight lines. Apply
this exact design to your yard or use some of the
elements to create a design of your own!
Trees and tall shrubs
Southern Cypress-pine
Yacca in square pot
Medium shrubs
Bench
Table and chairs
14mm Yankalilla gravel
Paver edging
Rock Correa
Groundcovers and herbs
Green wall 1800mm
mesh trellis
Habitat log and rocks
Frog pond with liner
300mm depth
Lavender
Grevillea
Tom Thumb
Grasses, sedges and rushes
Bird bath
Flax-lily in square pot
Large format pavers
0
1
2
3
4m
Yacca
Flax-lily
Flat-sedge
Climbers
Native Lilac
Old Man’s
Beard
27
Garden design
Family
Family gardens can be much more than a large
expanse of lawn with a swing set and cubby
house (for kids and parents alike). It is quite easy
to create exciting, playful spaces for children
to explore and develop through sensory play.
Successful family gardens feature zoning of
areas and encourage creative
freedom in kids’ outdoor play by providing
plenty of opportunities for exploration,
challenge, interaction and learning.
The design below gives you some ideas on
how to create a functional, relaxed and
stylish family garden.
There is a diversity of local native plants species
featured which provide stimulation for children
through their interesting textures and vibrant
colours. A lawn featuring non-invasive grass
species provides an open playing space, and a
number of stepping-stone paths adjacent to
the lawn invite children to explore deeper in
the garden. The rear of the garden houses a
bamboo teepee trellised with Sweet Apple-berry,
creating a kids refuge and hiding place. A
functional paved area provides space for family
outdoor table setting and BBQ (and a blank
canvas for your budding chalk artists!). You
can apply this exact design to your yard or use
some of the elements to create a design of
your own!
Trees and tall shrubs
Bamboo teepee / trellis
Salvaged slate
stepping stones
Grey / Peppermint Box
Sweet Bursaria
Medium shrubs
Lawn brick edging
Paper
Flower
Mulch
Whitewash
sustainable pebble
Yacca in pot
Desert
Senna
Round-leaf
Wattle
Groundcovers and herbs
Sticky
Goodenia
Running
Postman
White
Goodenia
Grasses, sedges and rushes
BBQ
Large format pavers
400x400mm
Yacca
Table and chairs
Common
Tussock-grass
Mat-rush
Black-head
Grass
Climbers
0
1
2
3
4m
Sweet
Apple-berry
29
Garden design
Contemporary
Contemporary gardens feature bold modern
designs, with an emphasis on contrasts of
colour, texture and form. Many local plants
offer excellent colour and texture to provide
opportunity for bold designs.
To develop your own contemporary garden,
create interesting garden bed shapes using a
mix of plants and landscaping materials that
provide strong contrasts.
The design below gives you ideas on using local
plants to create one of these gardens – you will
notice the creative layout of garden beds and
use of contrasting landscape materials such as
gravel, sandstone pavers and mulch.
A small number of local native plant species are
presented in a deliberate and repetitive manner.
You can apply this exact design to your yard or
use some of the elements to create a design of
your own!
Trees and tall shrubs
Charcoal paver
100x200mm
Quartsite gravel
Silver Banksia
Medium shrubs
Sandstone pavers
200x200mm
Seaberry
Saltbush
Ruby
Saltbush
White
Goodenia
Common
Everlasting
Myrtle
Wattle
Mulch
Bench
Groundcovers and herbs
Muntries
Grasses, sedges and rushes
0
1
2
3
4m
Yacca
Pale Rush
31
Growing and
maintaining local
native plants
When to plant
Pot plants
Planting is best done in the cooler months
through autumn and winter. The ideal time
is after the autumn opening rains, when the
soil is moist and plants have ample time to
establish deep roots before the warm weather
kicks in.
Potted plants need a little more care than
those planted out in gardens. Water your pot
plants more regularly in summer and apply
a low phosphorus fertiliser in spring and
summer (check with your local nursery about
which product is best). Don’t over-apply
fertiliser as it can harm your plants. Some
plants may need re-potting in the future.
Watering
Water-in your new plants. Over the first two
summers give your plants a deep watering
once a week to help them establish deep
roots. After this, they should be able to
cope on rainfall alone; however, depending
on variations in seasons and to keep your
garden thriving, give your plants a deep water
as required. Be mindful of current water
restrictions and the prescribed times allocated
to gardeners for watering.
Your aim is to establish strong, deep root
systems which are robust and can survive
during periods of low rainfall and minimal
watering. However, take care as over-watering
leaches nutrients from the soil, creates
excessive growth, and results in less flowering
and shorter-lived plants.
Fertilising
Sustainable landscaping
Fertilisers aren’t usually needed with local
native plants. If you decide to fertilise, seek
advice from your local nursery, as products
with high levels of phosphorus can harm local
native plants. You’ll also want to avoid rapid
growth that makes your plants leggy, weak
and short-lived.
You can help the environment by using
sustainable and locally-sourced materials.
Avoid materials taken from natural ecosystems,
such as moss rocks, river stones, fallen logs
and red gum mulch. More information on
sustainable landscaping can be found here:
www.environment.sa.gov.au (look under
‘Botanic Gardens’).
Pruning
Pruning is beneficial for many of these plants.
Most species will appreciate a light trim to
keep their shape, promote new growth and
encourage flowering. Pruning is best done
after flowering, usually late spring or early
summer. Young plants can be pruned lightly
and regularly. Older plants can be refreshed
with a more extensive prune after flowering.
Replace old plants that become straggly.
More information
For further information on establishing local
native plants and how you can create habitat
for native fauna, such as birds and butterflies,
visit the ‘Useful resources’ listing on page 38.
Mulch and gravels
A layer of mulch added to your garden can
reduce evaporative water loss by more than
70%! Organic mulch keeps soil temperatures
down, which benefits root density, suppresses
weed growth, and helps to promote good soil
structure and productivity.
Apply 5–10 cm of mulch or gravel, creating
a bowl shape around the plant to help retain
water. To avoid plant disease, keep mulch
away from plant stems.
33
Sourcing local
native plants
Where to now?
The plants featured in this guide were chosen
as they not only look good in gardens, but
also tend to be the most readily available
commercially. However, not all nurseries
stock local native plants. A list of specialist
native plant nurseries can be found at
www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/
adelaidemtloftyranges. Alternatively, you
can check with your council or phone your
local natural resources centre for more help
(see page 38 for details).
So you’ve had a quick read of this guide and
are keen to tackle some of the garden escapes
you’ve realised are lurking in your garden,
or you want to try your hand at gardening
with local native species; here are some of
the next steps you can take:
Ask your nursery for plants that are of ‘local
provenance’, meaning plants grown from
seeds or cuttings collected from your local
area, catchment or neighbourhood. These
plants have adapted to local conditions
so are best for your garden.
You can often place orders in advance with
specialist native plant nurseries in late spring
to early summer and then collect them to
plant in late autumn. Advance orders are
recommended if you want larger quantities of
plants, special or hard-to-grow species, or if
you have your heart set on a particular species.
Subscribe to Urban Biodiversity News to
receive newsletter updates about plant sales
and other activities that support local wildlife
around greater Adelaide (see page 38 for
details).
• research and create a vision
• decide on your garden’s scale,
Use the table on the next
two pages to help plan your
new garden (write down
your favourite species from
this guide and how you plan
to use them).
theme and look
• consider what you already have in your
garden – what’s staying and what’s going?
• put your plan to paper – sketch the main
features, e.g. paths, seating, ponds,
garden beds
• use the list on pages 36-37 to help you
plan your plant order
• create a timeline – do you need to order
in advance, how long will it take to
prepare the garden beds, what weeds
will need to be controlled?
• follow the growing and maintenance
tips in this guide – and remember, local
native gardens are low maintenance,
not no maintenance!
35
Plant category
Notes (e.g. quantity, uses, location)
Plant category
Trees and
tall shrubs
Trees and
tall shrubs
Medium shrubs
Medium shrubs
Groundcovers
and herbs
Groundcovers
and herbs
Grasses
Grasses
Sedges, rushes
and strappy
plants
Sedges, rushes
and strappy
plants
Climbers
Climbers
Notes (e.g. quantity, uses, location)
37
Useful resources
These resources are complementary to this guide.
From picturesque images to more in-depth gardening
resource material, they may provide further inspiration
and information. Happy planting!
• Natural Resources Centres / Backyards for Wildlife / Urban Biodiversity News
www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/adelaidemtloftyranges
• Your local council’s website
• Weeds in Australia www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/invasive/weeds
• Sustainable Landscapes Project, Botanic Gardens www.environment.sa.gov.au
• Sustainable Gardening Australia website www.sgaonline.org.au
• The native plants of Adelaide (2010)
Phil Bagust and Lynda Tout-Smith, Wakefield Press
• Weed control handbook for declared plants in South Australia
Biosecurtiy SA www.pir.sa.gov.au/biosecuritysa/nrm_biosecurity/weeds
• Weeds Australia www.weeds.org.au
Text by Claire Lock and Olivia Brodhurst, Rural Solutions SA.
Editorial assistance by Andy Raymond, Tina Gillespie
and Rita Reitano.
Natural Resources Adelaide and Mt Lofty Ranges gratefully
acknowledges the photographers who donated their images for
this guide: Shaun Kennedy, Ron Sandercock, Rata Luckens, Doug
Fotheringham, Nick Fewster, Ben Moulton, Caroline Taylor, Tony
Flaherty, Sharn Smith, Bill Doyle, Peter Watton, Tina Gillespie,
Martin Stokes, Dragos Moise, Jerry Smith, Russell Dahms,
Forest & Kim Starr, Eyefood, Biosecurity SA, Urban Biodiversity
Unit, and from WikiCommons: Elstro, Alvesgaspar and Chhe.
Many thanks to Geoff Fuller, Nursery and Garden Industry
South Australia and Nick Fewster, Urban Sustainable Landscapes.
This planting guide is funded from the NRM levy.
Printed on 100% recycled Australian-made paper.
© Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resources
Management Board 2014
Disclaimer: The Adelaide and Mt Lofty Ranges
Natural Resources Management Board and the Government
of South Australia and their employees do not warrant or make
any representation regarding the use or results of use of the
information contained herein as to its correctness, accuracy,
currency or otherwise.
Eastwood Office
205 Greenhill Road
EASTWOOD SA 5063
Phone: (08) 8273 9100
E-mail: [email protected]
FIS 92209 | June 2014
www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/adelaidemtloftyranges